Richard Henry Lee
Anti- Administration Party/ Anti- Federalist ( Opposing Washington's Policies)
Representing Virginia ( Largest Populated State and is in the South, below Maryland)
Occupation/ Socio-economic Background- Was born into an aristocratic family in Stratford, Va; Went to private school in England until his return in 1751; Led a colonial militia during the French and Indian War; Elected Justice of Peace in 1757; Elected to House of Burgesses; In 1774 was elected to be in the 1st Continental Congress; Elected President of Congress in 1783; First state Senator from VA elected under the new government.
Constitutional Convention- He refused to attend the Convention, because he disagreed with the composition of the document. He believed that too much power rested in the hands of the Federal government. He also believed that the document would not be catered to all people, but only the elite. That is why he wanted more power to be given to the states.
Ratification- Lee was involved in the process but was against the ratification of the Constitution.
Arguments- Really pushed to keep states rights. Despised George Washington and the future policies that he would pass. He also believed that the new government didn't represent the nation as a whole. Friends- Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson( Formed the Committee of Correspondence) Foe- George Washington
Anti- Administration Party/ Anti- Federalist ( Opposing Washington's Policies)
Representing Virginia ( Largest Populated State and is in the South, below Maryland)
Occupation/ Socio-economic Background- Was born into an aristocratic family in Stratford, Va; Went to private school in England until his return in 1751; Led a colonial militia during the French and Indian War; Elected Justice of Peace in 1757; Elected to House of Burgesses; In 1774 was elected to be in the 1st Continental Congress; Elected President of Congress in 1783; First state Senator from VA elected under the new government.
Constitutional Convention- He refused to attend the Convention, because he disagreed with the composition of the document. He believed that too much power rested in the hands of the Federal government. He also believed that the document would not be catered to all people, but only the elite. That is why he wanted more power to be given to the states.
Ratification- Lee was involved in the process but was against the ratification of the Constitution.
Arguments- Really pushed to keep states rights. Despised George Washington and the future policies that he would pass. He also believed that the new government didn't represent the nation as a whole.
Friends- Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson( Formed the Committee of Correspondence)
Foe- George Washington
Sources
Kindig, Thomas. "Richard Henry Lee." Ushistory.org. Web. 10 Feb. 2011. <http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/rhlee.htm>.
Lee, Richard H. "LETTER FROM THE HON. RICHARD HENRY LEE, ESQ.,." Letter to Edmund Randolph. 16 Oct. 1787. MS.
"Richard Henry Lee." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 10 Feb. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Henry_Lee>.
"Richard Henry Lee." United States History. Web. 10 Feb. 2011. <http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1217.html>.